Footy Monkey

Over the past few years one thing has remained constant in the mad, unpredictable world of Fantasy Football – Frank Lampard. Fat Frank as he’s lovingly known scores about 20 goals a season from midfield, has a good disciplinary record and benefits from the assists and clean sheets that come from playing for a title contender made him indispensible. Add to this the fact that you need a reliable choice for captain every week and the always-high price tag was justified. Bar Thierry Henry I don’t think any other player has been a must-have.

But now it’s 2010, Lamps costs 13 million, his highest ever price and 3 gameweeks in things are not looking so good. So far he had not been getting in as many goal scoring positions and Drogba seems to have claimed free-kick duty. Before yesterdays game, like many others I’m sure, I was already considering downgrading Frank to the cheaper option of Malouda. This turned to outright regret as Malouda continued his form with a goal and Lampard missed a penalty, was subsituted before a chance to redeem himself with another and now is apparently to go under the knife.

Lampard out, Malouda in it is then.

It was inevitable that sooner or later Frank’s productivity would have to tail off. With both his price and miles on the clock increasing there had to be a point where he was no longer worth it. I wonder now if we’re at the turning point, particularly with so many other good midfielders at reasonable prices in the game this year. On the other hand at 5 years his senior Ryan Giggs is still getting it done, so you never know. As it stands though, even when he does return it will take some exceptional performances to convince me to find the funds to restore him to my team.

It was a great opening day for the premier league; the best that I can remember. Plenty of goals, upsets and action. Despite 3 of the 4 not playing today there was plenty of excitement. The opening game may have been 0-0 between City and Spurs but it was a high-paced exciting scoreless draw and the lack of goals was only down to Hart’s amazing goalkeeping. Spurs and City are clearly picking up where they left off last year fighting to belong among the top four.

The real headline of course was a shockingly dominant display by Blackpool that saw them trounce Wigan at home 0-4, including a disallowed goal that should have made it 5 and a hoard of other chances denied or wasted. This left the premiership newcomers on top of the pile temporarily until Chelsea took care of business in the late kick off.

So are ‘The Tangerines’ any good or were Wigan just terrible at the back? Probably the latter I think, but the result today makes for some very interesting fixtures next week as Blackpool will face a real test against Arsenal at The Emirates and Wigan will have to try and bounce back against a Chelsea side that scored 6 today. I guess after next week we’ll have an idea of how good Blackpool really are and a confirmation of how bad Wigan are.

World cup? what World Cup? it’s all in the past now and it’s time to look forward to another fantasy premier league season. The best game is already open and as usual there are a couple of rule tweaks, so here’s the low-down:

Mid-season wildcard

This season in addition to the existing wildcard that can be played any time, there will be a 2nd wildcard that can be played between the start of gameweek 22 and and the gameweek 27 deadline.

Roll-over Transfers

Last year saw the introduction of carrying a transfer over to the following week if not used, but you had to use it the next week. This year you can carry it on until you see fit to use it, although you can only carry a maximum of one transfer.

-2 points for an own goal

Self explanitory really.

For better or worse?

Overall I like the rule changes. The wildcard was always a second chance, an opportunity to recover from bad luck, and a second one during the transfer window enhances that. Hopefully it keeps more people interested for the long haul of the season. The roll over transfer is another improvement; It was never nice losing a transfer because you were drunk at a wedding or up the walls with work.

On the other hand, I don’t think the own goal deductions are a good idea, most own goals are from bad luck rather than incompetence. Too often it’s the defender that is in the right position getting a foot to the ball that gets marked on the score sheet, rather than the defender that failed to tackle the attacker. Richard Dunne hears me. It was fine the way it was, conceding a goal was punishment enough.

Remember my tips on picking a decent team are here

With a couple of day remaining in the 2010 World Cup the logo for the next tournement to be held in Brazil has been unveiled. Note that the colour version has the ‘Brazil’ omitted due to controversy over the spelling – it’s originally spelt with an ‘s’ instead of a ‘z’.

This is the best way to navigate the worldcup fixtures that I’ve found:

Worlc Cup 2010 Fixtures

You can easily see fixtures by group, by team, by stadium or by date. Awesome.

Hilarious clip from Soccer Saturday this weekend where Chris Kamara knows nothing about the red card that has been awarded to Anthony Vanden Borre. He confuses the second bookable offence as a substitution at the game he’s supposed to be reporting on.

After Chelsea fell to Man City earlier in the day a much-anticipated late game in todays schedule saw Arsenal attempt to re-enter the title race with a win at Stoke. They managed it with a 1-3 win but the result was overshadowed by a truly awful injury to Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey after a tackle by Ryan Shawcross (video here) (pictures).

I missed the original incident in the real time feed. I saw someone on the ground quite motionless, I saw a close-up of a pale looking Fabregas looking like he was going to throw up and Vermaelen crouched down with his head in his hands. Players from each team looked concerned and it immediately reminded me of the Edwardo incident all over again. I was pretty sure Ramsey’s leg had snapped in two, and unfortunately it turned out to be the case. He was stretchered off and play eventually resumed but I stopped watching at this point. I no longer cared about the result and it was just depressing trying to watch the players move one and play out the remaining 15 minutes.

As merely a fan I have no idea what it feel like to suffer or cause such an injury, but it hit me hard. Looking at the other player’s struggling to deal with it on the pitch it’s clear how badly it’s effecting them, and it’s hard to not be affected. The impact is clear on their faces as they each realise that at any point it could be them suffering a potentially career ending injury. In this case it is no consolation that it is a team-mate, a colleague, a friend. A 19-year old Welsh international with the world at his feet.

It is many child’s fantasy to one day become a premiership player, but you don’t envy this. As a 9-5er going to the office everyday at least it’s some reassurance to know that you’ll return from work with all your limbs intact.

A special kind of pain is reserved for someone in Shawcross’s position. It was clear as the 22 year-old left the field in tears that he was deeply traumatised by having committed the tackle that led to the injury. I don’t believe it was malicious, just unlucky, consensus among people I’ve heard from seems to be that Ramsey’s studs had stuck and his leg was going the wrong way before the tackle. It’s a contact sport and it only takes one awkward collision at speed for devastating consequences. It certainly was the case when Edwardo suffered a similar injury against Birmingham almost 2 years ago to the day. If his studs had not caught in the ground as they did, it could have been a simple free-kick and a foul of no significance. Thankfully he made a full recovery.

The result of the match seems insignificant now. I just hope Ramsey can recover and return as a player still relatively young and fulfill the great potential he promises. I hope Shawcross can accept that without malice it is only misfortune that leads to such an event. I hope he can still play hard and physical without the fear of a repeat incident. To succeed at the top level takes a full commitment of all you’ve got.

One positive to take from this is that medical treatments for such injuries have improved lately. Ramsey received the proper attention promptly and was hurried to a pitch-side ambulance. Eduardo and Henrik Larsson have proved that players can return from horrific leg breaks to play top-flight football, lets hope Ramsey can join them.

Below are all the virtual pro accomplishments in Fifa 10. Secret accomplishments are red.

Here’s some hints and tips to quickly achieve the accomplishments:

• Accomplishments can only be done in exhibition matches, manager mode, be-a-pro, pro club championship or lounge mode with difficulty on at least Semi-Pro.
• You can view the unlockable traits by going to Virtual Pro -> My Skills and Stats -> Traits and Celebrations
• You can see how to perform skill moves at My Fifa 10 -> Help -> Skills
• You can see how to perform celebrations at My Fifa 10 -> Help -> Celebrations
• If you’re like me your pro is a striker but many of the accomplishments have to be achieved playing as a defender. Luckily you won’t have to actually play loads of games out of position in defence to unlock these. Instead, swap your pro with a defender in Team Management -> Squad before the game starts so that you start the game in defence. As soon as kick-off is taken, pause the game, go back to team management and switch your pro back to his normal position. The game will still think you are playing as a defender for the rest of the game!

BALL SKILLS ( 24 )

1. Smash home a volley in the Arena (Ball Control +1)
2. Dribble past an opposition player (Dribbling +1)
3. Score a chipped penalty in the Arena (Ball Control +1)
4. Dribble past an opponent using a skill move (Dribbling +1)
5. Juggle the ball 5 times in the Arena (Unlocks 2 Star Moves)
6. Score a finesse shot in the Arena (Curve +4)
7. Claim 5 assists form chipped trough balls in your career (Ball Control + 2)
8. Dribble past 5 opposition players in a match (Dribbling +2)
9. Chip the keeper & score from inside the box in a match (Ball Control +2)
10.Dribble past 3 opposition players with skill moves in a match (Dribbling +2)
11. Pull off all 2 star skill moves in the Arena (Unlocks 3 Star Skill Moves)
12. Score 5 curled free kicks in your career (Curve +5)
13. Backheel the ball to a team mate (Ball Control +3)
14. Beat 25 players with skill moves in your career (Dribbling +3)
15. Score with a backheel in a match (Ball Control +3)
16. Dribble past 50 players in your career (Dribbling +3)
17. Master all the 3 star skill moves in the Arena (Unlocks 4 Star Skill Moves)
18. Get credited for an assist form a corner (Curve +5)
19. Play 3 back-heeled passes in your career (Ball Control +4)
20. Beat 50 players with skill moves in your career (Dribbling +4)
21. Claim 15 career assists form chipped trough balls (Ball Control +4)
22. Beat 100 players with skill moves (Dribbling +4)
23. Score 50 finesse shots in your career (Curve +6)
24. Pull off all 4 star skill moves in the Arena. (Unlocks 5 Star Skill Moves)

DEFENCE ( 24 )

1. Win the ball 3 times with a standing tackle in a match (Standing Tackle +1)
2. Make 2 successful sliding tackles in a match (Sliding Tackle +1)
3. Block a shot on goal (Marking +1)
4. Complete 50% sliding tackles in 2 matches as a defender (Sliding Tackle +1)
5.Complete 60%standing tackles in 5 matches as a defender (Standing Tackle +1)
6.Keep a clean sheet playing as a defender (Marking +1)
7.Complete 50% sliding tackles in 5 games in defence (Sliding Tackle +2)
8.Win the ball 3 times with standing tackles 2 games in a row (Standing Tackle +2)
9.Win man of the match as a defender (Marking +2)
10.Complete 60% standing tackles in 10 matches in defence (Standing Tackle +2)
11.Play a match in defence without conceding a foul (Sliding Tackle +2)
12.Keep 2 consecutive clean sheets playing as a defender (Marking +2)
13. Play 5 consecutive matches in defence without being booked (Standing Tackle +3)
14.Make 2 successful sliding tackles in 2 consecutive matches (Sliding +3)
15.Keep a clean sheet in 3 consecutive matches in defence (Marking +3)
16.Win 75 career standing tackles as a defender (Standing Tackle +3)
17.Make 25 slide tackles in you defensive career (Sliding Tackle +3)
18.Win 5 man of the match awards playing as a defender (Marking +3)
19.Complete 60% standing tackles in 25 matches in defence (Standing Tackle +4)
20.Make 100 career sliding tackles as a defender (Sliding Tackle +4)
21. Win 10 man of the match awards playing as a defender (Marking +4)
22.Make 150 career standing tackles as a defender (Standing Tackle +4)
23.Complete 50% sliding tackles in 10 matches as a defender (Sliding Tackle +4)
24.Shut out the opposition in 25 matches playing as a defender (Marking +4)

MENTAL ( 24 )

1.Tackle an opponent that has fouled you (Aggression +2)
2.Make a goal line clearance (Positioning +2)
3.Header the ball back as you own keeper (Tactical Awareness +2)
4.Create an assist with a through ball along the ground (Vision +2)
5.Block 2 shots on goal in a match (Aggression +3)
6.Score from within 3 yards (Positioning +3)
7.Catch the opposition offside 3 times in a match playing as a defender (Tactical Awareness +3)
8.Create an assist with a chipped through ball (Vision +3)
9.Win 75 jumping headers in your career (Aggression +3)
10.Block 3 shots on goal in your career. (Positioning +3)
11.Play 5 consecutive matches without being called offside (Tactical Awareness +3)
12.Make 25 successful headed passes in your career (Vision +3)
13.Tackle an opponent that fouled you in the same match 3 times in your career (Aggression +4)
14.Score 3 goals from rebounds off the post in your career (Positioning +4)
15. Play 10 consecutive matches without being called offside (Tactical Awareness +4)
16.Chip the keeper and score from outside the box in a match (Vision +4)
17.Win 150 jumping headers in your career (Aggression +4)
18.Block 5 shots on goal in your career (Positioning +4)
19.Header the ball back to the keeper 5 times in your career (Tactical Awareness +4)
20.Make 50 successful headed passes in your career (Vision +4)
21.Block 10 shots on goal in your career (Aggression +4)
22. Make 2 goal line clearances in your career (possibly 2 clearances in 2 consecutive matches) (Positioning +4)
23.Play 300 matches as a pro (Tactical Awareness +4)
24.Score 5 chipped goals from outside the box in your career (Vision +4)

PASSING ( 24 )

1.Play 5 consecutive ground passes without conceding possession (Short Passing +1)
2.Switch play with a lobbed pass across the pitch (Long Passing +1)
3.Find your team mates with 2 different crosses in a match (Crossing +1)
4.Complete 10 ground passes in a match (Short Passing +1)
5.Set up a goal with a lobbed pass (Long Passing +1)
6.Cross along the ground to a team mate that scores (Crossing +1)
7.Claim an assist with a ground pass (Short Passing +2)
8.Play 3 successful lobbed passes in a match (Long Passing +2)
9.Cross in the air and find a team mate that scores (Crossing +2)
10. Claim 2 assists with ground passes in a game (Short Passing +2)
11.Complete 75% lobbed passes in a match (Long Passing +2)
12.Set up a goal with a cross in 2 consecutive matches (Crossing +2)
13.Claim 25% career assist from ground passes (Short Passing +3)
14.Create 2 goals in a game with lobbed passes (Long Passing +3)
15.Set up 2 goals with crosses in a match (Crossing +3)
16.Finish 20 matches with 75% ground passes (Short Passing +3)
17.Set up a goal with a lobbed pass in 2 consecutive matches (Long Passing +3)
18.Create 10 goals form crosses in your career (Crossing +3)
19.Complete 200 ground passes in your career (Short Passing +4)
20.Play 100 accurate lobbed passes as a pro (Long Passing +4)
21. Find your team mates with 100 crosses in your career (Crossing +4)
22.Create 50 goals with ground passes in your career (Short Passing +4)
23.Claim 15 career assists from lobbed passes (Long Passing +4)
24.Set up 25 goals with crosses in your career (Crossing +4)

PHYSICAL ( 48 )

1.Play 10 matches as a pro (Acceleration +1)
2.Win 5 man of the match awards in your career (Sprint Speed +1)
3.Make your virtual pro debut (Stamina +1)
4.Score a diving header in a match (Agility +2)
5.Score 5 goals with your weak foot in the arena (Weak Foot Ability +1 Star)
6. React first to score a rebound off the post in a match (Reactions +5)
7.Win 10 man of the match awards in your career (Acceleration +1)
8.Make 20 appearances as a pro (Sprint Speed +1)
9.Trent 3500 yards in a match (Stamina +1)
10.Win a jumping header in a match (Jumping +1)
11.Perform a fake shot inside the box in a match (Agility +2)
12.Score a bicycle kick in any match (Balance +2)
13.Play 30 matches in your career (Acceleration +1)
14.Win 15 man of the match awards as a pro (Sprint Speed +1)
15.Get a match rating of 10 out of 10 (Strength +1)
16.Score 2 diving headers in your career (Agility +2)
17.Make 4 headed passes in a match (Balance +2)
18.Travel 3500 yards in 5 matches in your career (Stamina +2)
19.Win 20 man of the match awards in your career (Acceleration +1)
20.Make 40 appearances (Sprint Speed +1)
21.Win 10 jumping headers in a match (Strength +1)
22.Win 25 jumping headers in your career (Jumping +2)
23.Finish 5 matches with 50% stamina remaining (Stamina +2)
24. Tap in 5 career goals from within 3 yards (Reactions +5)
25.Play 50 matches in your career (Strength +1)
26. Perform 10 fake shots in the box in your career (Agility +2)
27.Score 10 career goals with your weak foot (Weak Foot Ability +1 Star)
28.Score 2 bicycle kicks in your career (Balance +3)
29.Travel 3500 yards in 10 matches in your career (Stamina +3)
30.Make 2 career goal line clearances (Reactions +5)
31.Play 60 matches in you career (Sprint Speed +1)
32.Win man of the match 25 times (Acceleration +2)
33.Score 5 diving headers in your career (Agility +2)
34.Make 8 headed passes in a match (Balance +3)
35.Finish 10 matches with 50% stamina remaining (Stamina +3)
36.Score from outside the box with your weaker foot in a match (Weak Foot Ability +1 Star)
37.Win 50 jumping headers in your career (Strength +1)
38.Play 70 matches in your career (Acceleration +2)
39.Win 100 jumping headers in your career (Jumping +2)
40.Get a match rating of 10 five times in your career (Sprint Speed +2)
41.Travel 3500 yards in 25 matches in your career (Stamina +4)
42. Tackle an opponant that has fouled you in a match 5 times in your career (Reactions +5)
43.Make 50 appearances in your pro career (Strength +1)
44.Play 150 matches in your career (Acceleration +2)
45.Make 200 career appearances (Sprint Speed +3)
46.Play 250 matches as a pro (Stamina +4)
47.Score 25 career goals with your weaker foot (Weak Foot Ability +1 Star)
48.Score 5 goals from rebounds from the post in your career (Reactions +5)

SHOOTING ( 48 )

1.Beat the keeper with a finesse shot inside the box in a match (Finishing +1)
2.Curl in a finesse shot from outside the box in a match (Long Shots +1)
3.Score a laces shot in the arena (Shot Power +1)
4. Hit the target with 3 headers in a match (Heading Accuracy +2)
5.Volley home with your stronger foot in a match (Volleys +2)
6.Tuck home a penalty in the arena (Penalties +2)
7.Score 2 finesse shots in a match (Finishing +1)
8.Bag in a laces shot from outside the box in a match (Long Shots +1)
9.Score a laces shot inside the box in a match (Shot Power +1)
10.Beat the keeper to score with a jumping header in a match (Heading Accuracy +2)
11.Curl in a free kick in the arena (Free Kick Accuracy +2)
12.Score a volley with your weaker foot in a match (Volleys+3)
13.Get on the scoreboard in 2 consecutive matches (Finishing +1)
14.Score 2 laces shot in a match (Shot Power +2)
15.Head a goal in 2 consecutive matches (Heading Accuracy +2)
16.Score 2 goals from outside the box in a match (Long Shots +2)
17.Curl in a free kick in a match (Free Kick Accuracy +3)
18. Tuck home a penalty during normal time in a match (Penalties +3)
19.Score a hat trick in a match (Finishing +2)
20.Bang one in from 30 yards or further in the arena (Long Shots +2)
21.Smash in a driven free kick in the arena (Shot Power +2)
22.Score 50 goals in your career (Finishing +3)
23. Beat the keeper with 2 headers in a match (Heading Accuracy +3)
24.Score 2 free kicks in a match (Free Kick Accuracy +4)
25.Curl in 20 finesse shots in your career (Finishing +2)
26.Score 10 headed goals in your career (Heading Accuracy +3)
27.Thump one in from 30 yards or further in a match (Long Shots +3)
28.Drill in a driven free kick in a match (Shot Power +3)
29. Score 2 volleys in one match (Volleys +3)
30.Keep your cool and score in a penalty shootout (Penalties +4)
31. Score a brace in 3 consecutive matches (Finishing +3)
32.Claim 10 career goals from outside the box (Long Shots +3)
33.Score 20 laces shots in your career (Shot Powers +3)
34.Get credited for 25 headed goals in your career (Heading Accuracy +4)
35.Thump home a volley from outside the box in a match (Volleys +4)
36.Score 15 free kicks in your career (Free Kick Accuracy +5)
37.Get on the scoresheet 5 matches running (Finishing +3)
38.Score 25 headed goals in your career (Heading Accuracy +4)
39.Smash in 25 goals from outside the box (Long Shots +4)
40. Score 10 volleys in your career (Volleys +4)
41.Bang in 50 laces shots in your career (Shot Power +4)
42.Score 6 consecutive penalties in the arena (Penalties +5)
43.Get credited for 100 career goals (Long Shots +4)
44. Score 150 goals in your career (Shot Power +4)
45.Claim 200 career goals (Finishing +4)
46.Bang in 20 volleys in your career (Volleys +4)
47.Tuck home 15 penalties in your career (Penalties +6)
48.Claim 25 career goals from free kicks (Free Kick Accuracy +6)

TRAITS & CELEBRATIONS (12)

1.Perform all available running celebrations (Unlocks Celebrations 1 & 2)
2.Celebrate a goal with all finishing moves (Unlocks Celebrations 3 & 4)
3.Dribble past 150 players in your career (Unlocks Skilled Dribbling trait)
4. Beat 5 defenders in a match with skill moves (Unlocks Flair trait)
5.Score 50 headed goals in your career (Unlocks Power Header trait)
6.Take 25 throw ins over the course of your career (Unlocks Long Throw trait)
7. Makes 3 goal line clearances in your career (Unlocks Acrobatic Clearance trait)
8.Get credited for 25 career assists from throught balls (Unlocks Through Ball trait)
9.Score 20 laces shots from outside the box in your career (Unlocks Outside of Foot trait)
10.Win the league in manager mode or be a pro seasons (Unlocks Crowd Favourite trait)
11.Play 100 matches as a pro (Unlocks Second Wind trait)
12.Take 10 long throw ins over the course of your career (Unlocks Giant Throw trait)

ACCESSORIES (12)

1.Celebrate a goal with any finishing move (Unlocks Shirt Untucked option)
2.Play a match in the rain (Unlocks Long Sleeves option)
3.Win 10 free kicks for your team during your career (Unlocks Ankle Tape option)
4.Make your online debut (Unlocks a selection of Black Boots)
5.Win a cup in manager mode (Unlocks a selection of White Boots)
6.Get a club promoted in be a pro seasons or manager mode (Unlocks a selection of White Boots)
7.Take 10 throw ins through your career (Unlocks Wrist Tape options)
8.Brave 10 matches in the snow (Unlocks Gloves option)
9. Play 25 Matches in the Rain (Unlocks Undershirt option)
10.Win consecutive leagues in BAP or Manager mode (Unlocks a selection of Blue Boots)
11.Play 25 matches online (Unlocks a selection of Red Boots)
12.Represent any club 50 times (Unlocks a selection of Coloured Boots)

It’s less than 24 hours since Thierry Henry handled the ball (video here) before setting up William Gallas to score the extra time goal that meant France will travel to the World Cup and the Republic of Ireland fail to qualify, but the backlash has already been huge. After the game ended last night I, like many Irish supporters, was in equal measure disappointed, angry and disillusioned with organised football. My girlfriend in tears beside me, I quickly turned to every outlet I could find – twitter, sms contacts and facebook heard all about it, and I was not alone,within a half hour the  We Irish hate Thierry Henry (the cheat) facebook group had 13,000 fans. It now has almost 50,000.

I wanted a national boycott of Renault, I was calling for his head. The cheating scum had clearly handled the ball leading to what proved to be a national sporting disaster for us Irish. Hopes and dream of cheering on the boys in green this summer were shattered.

Today I’ve calmed down, and am even enjoying some of the jokes going around like the revelation that the French are handball champions and the pix.ie Tweet of the Day. I’m still angry but not at Henry. He has admitted he handled it, he did so before he had even left the pitch and he’s on the receiving end of a horrible backlash and not just from the Irish, look at some of the comments on the BBC. This one incident could permanently stain the reputation of one of the greatest players ever in the game, just as Zidanes headbutt and Maradonas hand of god did to them.

I’ve started to try and think of this from his point of view. I think his reaction was instinctive and most players would instinctively do the same. Robbie Keane handled the ball about 4 times during the match. In a high pressure game and in the box, the ball unexpectedly drops right in and it’s not pre-meditated, there’s no logical decision made, there’s no time for contemplation of the consequences – it just happens. The culture of the game doesn’t help, players are accustomed to always trying to get every advantage they can – it’s OK as long as you don’t get caught. Eamon Dunphy has in the past made the great comparison with the great culture of sportsmanship in snooker where players call fouls on themselves, this is a rarity in football.

So if the handball is instinctive we can only judge Henry’s character on what happens next. Henry didn’t deny he had handled it, maybe he could have told the ref he handled it, did the ref ask him?

Now we reach the real problem, the officials and the rules. Refs make split second decisions, rarely receive help from assistants and their decisions are final. I can’t help thinking what if the ref had asked Thierry if he had handled it before ruling on the goal. Why is this not an option for refs? If he had and Henry had lied, which I honestly don’t think he would have, we could really label him a cheat.

The Football Association of Ireland are asking for a replay, which of course is a ridiculous claim and would set an impossible  precedent. At least Trappatoni seems to realise this.

The real solution, of course, is the use of TV replays in officiating. There’s really no reason not to at least implement this for goal and penalty decisions. There’s always a significant delay after a goal anyway with celebrations and everyone getting back onside and it’s already proven to work well in rugby. I really hope the backlash over The Hand of Frog, or Le Hand of God or whatever you want to call it is that FIFA finally come under enough pressure to make some changes and not that all Henry’s great moments are overshadowed by this.